Rey was in the lounge area, sitting at a window overlooking the garden. There was a plate of untouched food by her feet. She felt hollow, but at least she had come back to her senses. She couldn't explain it; she had just lost it.

They told her she would not let anyone touch her or Aiden, and attacked anyone that had tried. Eventually Rey had fallen asleep crying and cradling his body, and that was when they brought them both back to the palace.

She couldn't remember much of what had happened other than how guilty she felt, and how her heart had ached and then seemed to disappear altogether.

Kylo kept a close eye on Rey. He had grown despondent, a storm brewing deep within him, and he felt that taking care of Rey was the only way he could keep himself under control. He sat in the corner of the room, stretched out over plush cushions, looking over some scrolls with a cup of wine in his hand. "Rey, are you not hungry?" He looked at her untouched tray of food before his eyes flicked back to hers. Finally she returned his gaze.

A new wave of sorrow ripped through Rey when their eyes met. She felt her breath escape her all over again. "Kylo… It's all my fault. If I… If I had just… Aiden…" Tears streamed down Rey's face. Kylo rose to his feet and swiftly crossed the distance between them.

"Rey, you did not kill Aiden. I promise, you are not responsible for his death. The queen is. Savage Opress is. Not you." His voice was low and fierce, and his face was contorted with his torment.

"But he wouldn't have even been at the queen's palace if it weren't for me."

"You didn't force him to go with you; he chose to go with you. Rey." He placed a hand against her cheek gently. "Please, I can't bear to see you cry. Please." His stare was so intense, so deep. Rey gasped, "Kylo," she breathed. His eyes flickered to her lips and he had started to lower his lips to meet hers when Poe entered.

"Pardon me, your grace. I've just returned from the astronomy tower. They report that the end of Niima's season is today at daybreak. We only have a few hours; we must go now!"

Kylo sucked in a deep breath, counted to three, and exhaled. "I've made the necessary preparations. We can start when you are ready, Rey." He peered down at her, his hair falling over his eyes.

Rey met his eyes and gulped. She couldn't deny how attached she had become to Kylo in so little time, and it hurt her to imagine leaving him. But she knew she belonged at home with her family, and he needed to move on with his life as a Prince. She nodded at him and stood up to go put on her old clothes.

When Rey had exited the room, Poe turned to Kylo with a strange look. "Are you really going to let her go? I mean, I know she is young but you really seem to like her and… What she said about Aiden and the caste system, the way she was so distressed over him… We need more of that in this world. What if she really was sent to us by the gods? There is something special about that girl."

Kylo nodded. "I feel it too, Poe. I just… What am I supposed to do? I can't force her to stay. She has a family, another life away from us. She wants to go, you saw her." He raked his hand through his hair. "I promised her and I can't go back on that."

"I understand. Very well then. Let's do this."

Kylo took one last swig of his wine and strode out of the room with Poe at his heels.

"Okay, my Prince, we have the spring surrounded with the most loyal members of your household guard. I don't think the queen will be able to get through our line. We should be ready to start." Poe gave him a reassuring nod.

He turned to Rey and smiled. Rey hugged Poe, and then Finn. She turned to Kylo but something in his hooded gaze stopped her. She didn't think she could step into his arms and hope to leave again. His gave her a hard nod and said, "You can step into the spring now, Rey."

"If the queen is able to control water, won't she just disrupt us?" she asked.

"If she does, I can use my magic to oppose her. You will be fine, Rey. As soon as I'm done reciting the spell, you will be sent back home."

She took a step into the spring and was immediately pulled down into the water. She started to struggle. Kylo put his hands up. "Everyone remain still." Then a gust of wind surrounded the spring and concentrated around Rey. Her uniform rippled from the force and the water around her parted slightly so she was untouched. Kylo's wind was warm to the touch and everyone had to plant their feet and brace themselves to not be uprooted by its force.

"Rey, it's okay! Just hold on a little longer, I am going to start now." Kylo's voice boomed over the gusts of wind. "Gods above, hear my-"

Shouts rang out and men jumped down from the surrounding rooftops with swords and spears, ready to fight. Savage Opress was at the head of the ambush, and leapt down next to the spring. Rey gave a shout and struggled out of the water as quickly as she could. Poe and Finn were both occupied with the attackers and Kylo was fending off a man himself. "Hurry, Rey, we don't have much time. Get in the spring!" She took a few steps back into the spring, surrounded by Kylo's wind.

Savage's voice cut through the wind and crept up Rey's back. "There you are, girl. Do you like my new head wrap?" She turned to see him run a palm over the side of his head where he wore Aiden's skin instead of his usual crown of horns. "The boy's skin was so soft that it made up for not being able to have yours." His sneer was sickening.

Rey knew she couldn't leave without avenging Aiden. She shook the lightheadedness that threatened to overcome her and screamed as she ran out of the spring, directly towards Savage. Kylo was shocked. What is she doing?

Kylo called for her to stop. She saw him pushing past some men to reach Savage before her, but Rey was quicker and much closer. All she could think was that she could not let that beast get away with what he had done to Aiden. "You're a monster!"

He bent his knees, planted his feet and aimed his large body downward to meet Rey's smaller frame. With all her force she lunged over Savage, vaulting off his large head and grabbing Aiden's skin. She came crashing down onto Kylo who was only half prepared to receive her. They both crashed to the ground as dawn broke over the bloody scene.

"That's enough for now, men! Retreat! We have accomplished our mission, let's go!" Savage rallied his troops quickly and they retreated with few casualties.

Rey clutched Aiden's skin to her chest and heaved a sigh of relief. She had succeeded; Aiden could be buried in his entirety. He could now pass on to the next life and present himself to the gods as a whole being. Rey smiled to herself.

"Rey? Why did you do that? Why didn't you go home?"

"I couldn't go back yet. Savage disgusts me and needs to be brought to justice. I can't go without avenging Aiden." The golden flecks in her eyes melted and she gave a sheepish smile. "I guess I will be here another year then." Kylo's mouth hung open before he abruptly wrapped his arms around her.

"Rey…" He hugged her tightly and she cried silently, comforted by his embrace.